dissemble

[dɪˈsɛmbəɫ]

Group 6Difficulty 3/3

Definition

(verb)
To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs
GRE

Example in Context

The executive had dissembled for years about the company's environmental record, presenting misleading data to regulators and investors.

Synonyms

pretendhidedeceive

Etymology

To pretend or hide one’s true motives or feelings.

  • dis- (Latin) — apart
  • simulare (Latin) — to feign

Memory Aid

🧩Sounds like “dis assemble

When you DISASSEMBLE a puzzle, you hide the true picture — that’s DISSEMBLING!

Visual Association

🕵️A spy in a trench coat, carefully concealing their true identity while eavesdropping.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “dissemble” mean on the GRE?

dissemble (verb) means “To conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs”. The executive had dissembled for years about the company's environmental record, presenting misleading data to regulators and investors.

How to remember “dissemble” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “dissemble” sounds like “dis assemble”. When you DISASSEMBLE a puzzle, you hide the true picture — that’s DISSEMBLING!

What are synonyms for “dissemble”?

Common synonyms: pretend, hide, deceive.